Key Takeaways:
- Solar panel fire risk is usually linked to electrical faults, such as loose connections, damaged insulation or poor termination, rather than the panels themselves catching fire.
- Installation quality has a major influence on long-term safety, particularly how cables, connectors, isolators and other electrical components are selected and installed.
- Singapore requirements address both fault prevention and emergency response, including provisions for access routes, electrical compliance and system isolation.
- Safety does not end at installation. Periodic inspections, especially after roof repairs or other works near the installation, can help identify damage before it develops into a larger problem.
Introduction
When property owners ask us about solar panel fire risk, the concern is usually straightforward: can the panels themselves catch fire?
That is understandable, but it is not normally where we focus first. A rooftop solar system is an electrical installation, so the bigger safety questions sit around the connections, cabling, isolators, inverter and protection devices that make the system work.
In Singapore, these details are not left to chance. SCDF’s Fire Code sets requirements for roof-mounted PV installations, including module fire performance, firefighting access, electrical components and emergency disconnection. Associated wiring and switchboard assemblies must also comply with SS 638. EMA also advises property owners to work with a Licensed Electrical Worker and to include electrical safety checks as part of ongoing maintenance.
From our perspective, solar safety is not about making a blanket claim that a system is simply “safe”. It is about how carefully the system is designed, installed, tested and looked after over time.
Where Solar Panel Fire Risk Usually Begins
Fires involving solar PV systems are uncommon, but when incidents do happen, the cause is usually electrical rather than the panel itself. A UK government-backed study by the BRE National Solar Centre found the overall incidence to be very low and placed much of its attention on installation quality and fault prevention.
The issues we look for are often small details that can become more serious over time. A poorly crimped DC connector can create resistance and heat. Damaged insulation may lead to arcing. Cables that rub against sharp roof edges can gradually wear down, while an incorrectly rated or poorly protected isolator may fail under operating conditions.
Some solar inverter fire causes also come down to similar electrical weaknesses, such as loose terminals, unsuitable connections, overheating or poor termination inside the enclosure.
That is why we assess solar panel fire risk at system level. Even a well-made panel cannot make up for weak connections, poor cable management or installation mistakes elsewhere in the circuit.
What Singapore’s Requirements Tell Us About Risk
Singapore’s fire safety requirements give a useful indication of where the main risks are expected to be managed.
Under SCDF’s current requirements, roof-mounted PV modules must meet at least Class C for spread-of-flame and burning-brand tests under IEC 61730-2. Arrays are generally limited to 60 m by 40 m, and access aisles must provide at least 1.5 m of clear width so that firefighters can reach the installation if needed. Emergency shut-off provisions are also required on the AC side and switch-room side for applicable systems.
These requirements show that rooftop solar fire prevention is not only about stopping a fault from happening. It is also about making sure the system can be reached, isolated and dealt with safely during an emergency.
For us, solar system electrical safety begins at the design stage. The way panels are laid out, how access routes are planned and where isolation points are positioned all need to be considered before installation starts.
What We Look for During Installation
Cable Routing That Holds Up Over Time
Cable routing is one of those details that can look fine on installation day but cause trouble later if it has not been thought through properly.
We look at how cables are secured, where they pass across the roof and whether they are protected from sharp edges, standing water, UV exposure and repeated movement. On larger commercial roofs, the same routing decision may be repeated across many metres of cabling, so small mistakes can quickly become widespread.
Connections That Match the System
DC connectors are small components, but they play an important role because they carry current whenever the modules are generating electricity.
We check that connectors are compatible, properly crimped and correctly terminated. This is also why we do not treat a solar panels system as a collection of parts that can simply be mixed and matched. The components need to work together as one electrical system.
Commissioning That Leaves a Record
Installation is not complete once the panels are switched on.
Commissioning checks such as insulation resistance testing, polarity checks and voltage verification help confirm that the system has been connected correctly and is operating as intended.
Just as importantly, the results create a useful record for future maintenance. If a problem appears years later, having the original test data and system documentation makes it much easier to compare performance, trace the fault and understand what has changed.
Why Maintenance Matters After Roof Works
Not every safety issue begins during the original installation. Sometimes, the risk appears later when other work is carried out on the roof.
Take a warehouse that undergoes waterproofing or roof repairs a few years after its solar system is installed. Contractors may need to work around cable trays, conduits or mounting structures. If something is shifted, knocked or damaged in the process, the system may continue operating without any obvious sign that a problem has developed.
That is why we recommend checking the installation after substantial roof works, repainting, waterproofing or other activities carried out near the array. EMA’s guidance also includes electrical safety checks as part of maintaining system integrity over time.
Regular inspection is therefore not just about keeping generation levels up. It is also part of managing solar panel fire risk throughout the working life of the system.
Does a Bigger System Mean a Bigger Fire Risk?
Not necessarily. A larger system has more components to manage, but size alone does not determine how safe it is.
For example, we have worked on a 30-panel, 13.3 kWp residential installation at Chuan Drive and a much larger 718-panel, 427.21 kWp commercial installation at Bedok Reservoir Road. The commercial system naturally involves more connectors, longer cable runs and more equipment, so inspection and maintenance need to be more structured.
That does not make the larger installation inherently riskier. What matters more is how well the system has been designed, installed, documented and maintained.
The same applies when comparing household solar panels with solar panels for business. Homeowners may be more concerned about equipment being close to living areas, while commercial properties often involve more coordination between facilities teams, contractors and building management.
In both settings, the key issue is not simply how large the system is, but how well its risks are controlled over time.
Who Is Responsible for Keeping the System Safe?
Solar safety does not sit with one party from start to finish. Responsibility changes as the system moves from design and installation into long-term operation.
During installation, the solar contractor and Licensed Electrical Worker are responsible for the areas within their respective scopes, including system design, electrical compliance, equipment selection, testing and commissioning.
Once the system has been handed over, the building owner or MCST plays a bigger role. Roof access, renovation works and maintenance need to be coordinated so that other contractors do not accidentally disturb the installation. The maintenance contractor then helps monitor the system over time and identify signs of wear, damage or developing faults.
The gaps tend to appear when these responsibilities are not clearly handed over. Good records, clear communication and defined maintenance responsibilities make it much easier to keep the system properly managed throughout its working life.
Conclusion
Solar panels are part of a building’s electrical infrastructure, so it would be unrealistic to say there is no risk at all. The more useful way to think about solar panel fire risk is to understand where faults can develop, how those faults are controlled and whether the system can be isolated safely if something goes wrong.
At PMCE, we look beyond the panel specification when assessing rooftop solar safety. We consider how cables are routed, how connectors and inverters are installed, whether protection devices are appropriate, what commissioning records are available and how the system will be accessed and maintained over time.
If you are planning rooftop solar, speak with PMCE about your site. We can review the electrical and fire safety considerations alongside the practical needs of your building, so the system is planned with long-term operation and maintenance in mind.
